To Stop the Wild Parrot Trade

A message from

Jamie’s desk Oxford © Pete Parrots Grey

As the World Parrot Trust turns 30, it’s bird imports to Europe. And by the time conservation tools at our disposal such as astounding to see just how much has we turned 18, we’d accomplished just nest site protection, habitat restoration, changed in the parrot world in that time. that; the EU ceased importing all wild and on occasion, reintroduction of When WPT fledged in 1989, for example, birds leading directly to a 90% decrease captive bred individuals. Since the Trust’s the USA was the world’s largest importer in the global market – sparing the lives of first project focusing on the recovery of wild parrots; conservationists had no millions of birds each year. of critically threatened Echo Parakeets, idea where – or even if – Blue–throated we’ve gone on to help save dozens of Macaws still occurred in the wild, Building upon those lessons and threatened parrot species, learning from and many of the great strides in our successes, we’ve continued to work on these experiences, and applying all tools, understanding of how to keep captive protecting parrots from trade through old and new, wherever they can help. birds thriving had yet to be made. Over a variety of means, including protecting From our extensive experience releasing the decades, we and our colleagues and threatened species from trade via the so many parrots confiscated from trade, partners around the world have learned a CITES treaty, including the Yellow– we now know how best to accomplish great deal about the threats these beloved naped Amazon (2002), Yellow–crested this feat, adding significantly to our birds face – whether captive or wild – and Cockatoo (2004), and the Grey Parrots toolbox of conservation solutions for thankfully we now have an infinitely more (2017). And now in its second decade, endangered parrots. diverse and refined kit of tools to help our own FlyFree program continues to 2009-2019 save all parrots. encourage the enforcement of wildlife Most importantly, none of this progress, laws, the confiscation of wild parrots none of these successes, and none of At our conception, indeed, in the maiden from traffickers around the world, and this empowerment of the WPT and issue of the PsittaScene, Mike Reynolds whenever possible, the release of seized our partners around the world to save launched the Trust with a prescient birds to give them a second chance to parrots would be possible without the focus on stopping the mass trade in wild thrive in the wild. This combination of ongoing and generous support of parrot parrots. Over the years, we came to learn reducing global demand, ending legal lovers like yourselves – most recently, how human’s love of parrots created harvests, and confiscating birds from we’re deeply grateful to all of you for the seemingly insatiable demand for these traders has proven to form a powerful astounding success of our campaign to birds, devastating so many wild parrot deterrent to ongoing trade pressure, support macaw conservation in Bolivia. populations. But we also learned that ensuring meaningful protection for wild We’re optimistic that the next 30 years stemming that demand is possible by parrots everywhere. will bring many successes for parrot encouraging wealthy western countries conservation and welfare, and we look to stop importing wild birds. And most And while these initiatives have been forward to working with you to make all importantly, such policy changes – like focused on stopping trade in wild parrots, sorts of progress possible. the USA’s Wild Bird Conservation Act our experience with releasing thousands TO STOP THE WILD – dramatically reduce parrot poaching of confiscated birds has helped teach us around the globe. These lessons led the another important lesson as well. Over the Trust – at a youthful 12 years of age – past few decades, we’ve worked to refine James D. Gilardi, PhD PARROT TRADE to spearhead a campaign to stop all wild and expand the collection of traditional WPT Executive Director A Decade of WPT’s FlyFree Program

Bolivian wildfires charred more than four million hectares of forest and grassland between August and October 2019, impacting countless wildlife and human habitats. by Charlotte Foxhall Photo © Jhony Salguero, Parrot Conservation Bolivia (CLB) There’s usually some discussion amongst the birds, but right now they’re silent: they see that the release aviary door is open. They hesitate, and then a few brave souls venture to and then beyond the invisible barrier to experience the first heady and anxious moments of freedom. The rest follow tentatively in small groups, dispersing to the surrounding trees.

This is the hoped-for outcome for rescued parrots, but the future for most caught in the grim world of wildlife trafficking is not so certain.

Autumn 2019 PsittaScene.org 5 RECENT HIGHLIGHTS

Africa increase protections for other species; for example, a surge in export permits for Red-fronted Parrots African parrots are among the most traded of all (Poicephalus guilielmi) was addressed at a recent species; as a consequence WPT pursues a multi- CITES meeting, and improvements to legislation faceted strategy throughout the region. Studies in several range states have since been made. documenting the impact and nature of trade have Working with various partners, WPT has also been recently completed or are ongoing in multiple been able to convince airlines to boost protections countries (including Guinea-Bissau, the Democratic against trafficking, recently working with Turkish Republic of Congo, Nigeria and Sierra Leone). Airlines to finalise an embargo on transporting African Greys, and improve training in vulnerable In Indonesia, smuggled These include the first national status assessment Eclectus parrots await rescue for Timneh Parrots, work which has identified key trafficking sites. from pipes. © BKSDA Ternate populations that are now being protected through engagement with local communities and hiring Rehabilitation and release aviaries for parrots former trappers to protect nests. rescued from trade have been built in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia, Senegal, t the heart of the World Parrot Trust’s But that has begun to change: in 2007, after WPT Determining the current state of knowledge of Guinea and additional support provided in Sierra formation in 1989 was the protection of had successfully spearheaded a 7-year effort with a species informs advocacy efforts for improved Leone. Training workshops in best practice Athe most critically endangered of Earth’s over 230 NGOs, the European Union announced a policy and in 2016, WPT and its partners rallied to protocols for caring for rescued parrots have been parrots. Not long after, WPT founder Mike permanent embargo on the import of wild-caught provide wild African Grey Parrots (encompassing delivered in Angola and will soon be replicated in Reynolds grew concerned that wild parrots were birds. The ban spared the lives of millions of birds Psittacus erithacus and Psittacus timneh) with Cameroon. Additionally, ground-breaking research being adversely affected by trapping for trade. each year, but still more was needed: in 2009 WPT CITES Appendix I protection from trapping. focussing on the spread of Psittacine Beak and launched the FlyFree program, an ongoing effort Ongoing investigations into trafficking enable Feather Disease (PBFD) virus through legal and Science and decades of work in the field have since to counter the trapping that still occurs in many WPT to monitor the situation, and have driven illegal trade was completed with multiple partners confirmed his fears, and more - that the trade in wild- countries. further CITES decisions to close loopholes and in Senegal. caught parrots is inhumane, at least half of the birds trapped succumb to injury, starvation and disease, FlyFree supports direct action to rescue, rehabilitate and wild populations can be virtually wiped out. and release wild-caught birds, through partnerships with in-country organisations and governments. Since the 1970s, the capture of parrots for the pet More rehabilitated birds are being successfully trade has impacted over 17 million birds. Tens of released than ever before thanks to thoughtful thousands of parrots are still being captured every and informed choices about where the birds are year and some of the most heavily trapped species, released, how many birds are in the group, their such as Grey Parrots, have suffered catastrophic pre-release training, and careful disease screening population collapses – over 90% in Ghana alone. for eligible candidates. In Sierra Leone, new Timneh Parrot surveys give fresh insights into the HOW IT WORKS species’ status © Rowan Martin Increasing the capacity of rescues to receive, in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and rehabilitate and release confiscated animals Flora) to advocate for better protections are a allows local governments to pursue trappers necessity to help parrots threatened by trade. and confiscate more birds. The FlyFree program On a different front, the WPT works to shut directly helps rescues and government agencies down channels through which illegal trade occurs manage confiscated parrots by providing with outside agencies such as airlines, shipping funding for food, release enclosures, disease companies, and social media. And lastly, FlyFree screening, bands and tracking equipment, and actively promotes the circulation of educational In Angola, WPT vet Dr. Davide basic veterinary and bird care training. Meetings materials to local people, to raise awareness and de Guz provides training in In Nigeria, researcher Ifeanyi Ezenwa and with regional and international agencies such foster concern about the ecologically and culturally parrot care to local officials WPT Africa Programme Director Dr. Rowan © Rowan Martin Martin discuss sampling methods © WPT as CITES (Convention on International Trade important wildlife that they live with.

Indonesia South America

In recent years, WPT has partnered with the Natural An intense local trade exists here; confiscated birds Resources Conservation Agency Indonesia (BKSDA) can number in the hundreds at a time. To help slow the and local biodiversity groups to involve communities deluge WPT has partnered with a number of in-country living in parrots’ ranges with tree planting events, organisations to provide technical help, supplies and instruction in bird-watching, and gifts of binoculars funding to improve rehabilitatie capacity and release of and books to lead income-producing visitor tours. these confiscated birds. The Blue-fronted Amazon Project, Chattering Lories (Lorius garrulus), Purple-naped an alliance with a local rescue centre and a Brazilian (L. domicella), Black-capped (L. lory) and Red- university wildlife facility, has rehabilitated and released In Peru, a group of 350 parrots – crowded and-blue Lories (Eos histrio), White and Moluccan nearly 300 Blue-fronted Amazons (Amazona aestiva) into wooden fruit boxes – is intercepted by Cockatoos (Cacatua alba and C. moluccensis), back to the wild, with more to follow in coming months. Perúvian authorities. © Rosa Elena Zegarra and Eclectus Parrots (Eclectus roratus) have WPT supported Mundo Natural Rescue Center in Peru regularly been found in trade here, and WPT has for the care of over a hundred parrots, all native species, been training officials on best practices for their sent to the facility. In Bolivia, WPT supports the Wild care and rehabilitation, also ensuring that they are Parrot Conservation Center where, in the past year, 450 returned to their proper islands. In addition, WPT parrots including Blue-fronted Amazons, Canary-winged has provided funding for food, medicine and new Parakeets (Brotogeris chiriri), Blue-winged Parrotlets holding enclosures, and has provided incentives for (Forpus xanthopterygius), multiple species of conure, FlyFree has been former trappers to protect nests and patrol areas and Red-fronted Macaws (Ara rubrogenys) were brought known to attract poachers. to the facility for urgent treatment. Some of these birds In Bolivia, confiscated growing since 2009 are still being cared for, with others having been returned Canary-winged Parakeets await transportation © CREA and supports front- Central America back to the wild.

line efforts of dozens In Central America, WPT has been working closely of partner agencies in with in-country partners Echo on Bonaire, Belize Bird LOOKING FORWARD Rescue, Macaw Recovery Network and Ara Manzanillo countries around the in Costa Rica, and Macaw Mountain Nature The FlyFree movement has proven to be an to the EU import ban and increasingly, parrot Reserve and Bird Park in Honduras, to help manage world, including Angola, effective means of responding to the immediate range countries are stepping up with enforcement, increasing numbers of surrendered and confiscated and longer-term needs of parrots intercepted in rehabilitation, and release with the FlyFree program Belize, Bolivia, Bonaire, birds, with technical and financial support for their illegal international trade. The vast majority of encouraging these kinds of novel and effective efforts rehabilitation and eventual release. Threatened wild Brazil, Cameroon, international trade has been shut down thanks to stop trade in wild parrots for good. parrot populations are also boosted by captive breeding Democratic Republic and releasing birds to the wild. Macaw Mountain’s successful release of Scarlet Macaws in two locations About the Author: of Congo, Guatemala, – mainland Honduras and the Bay Islands off its coast Charlotte Foxhall joined the WPT in 2018 in an administrative and grant Honduras, India, – is an example of this. writing role. She holds an Honours degree in Environmental Science and is currently undertaking a Master’s degree in Conservation Ecology. Indonesia, Kenya, In Honduras, successful releases of Scarlet Macaws continue Liberia, Mexico, © Macaw Mountain Nepal, Peru, Senegal, Sierra Leone and South Africa — all committed to ending the wild bird trade. Scarlet Macaw © Macaw Mountain © Macaw Macaw Scarlet

8 PsittaScene.org Autumn 2019